Improvement in combined fire-alarm and fire-extinguisher



J. W. SMITH. I (lombined-Fire-Alarm and Fire-Extinguisher.

No. 220,674 Patented Oct.14,1879.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR: y

, M M BY MAM/W g ATTORNEYS.

N-PETERS, PMoTC-Ll'momAPHEE, WASHINGTON. D c,

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIGE.

JOHN W. SMITH, OF BROOKLYN, E. D., NEV YORK.

I IMPROVEMENT lN COMBINED FIRE-ALARM AND FIRE-EXTINGUISHER.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 220,674, dated October 14, 1879; application filed August 2, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. SMITH, of

Brooklyn, E. D., in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Combined Fire-Alarm and F ire-Extinguisher, of which the following is a specification.

Figure 1 is a vertical section of my improved device. Fig. 2 is a detail view of the lower end of the same, showing the circuit-closing and circuit-breaking device. Fi 3 is a cross section of the cartridge-chambcr, taken through the line at 00, Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspondin g parts.

The object of this invention is to furnish an improved device, to be connected with a system of water-pipes in a building, which shall be so constructed that should a fire occur the fire itself will open a vent for the water where the fire is, and in no other place, and at the same time will sound an alarm, and which shall be simple in construction, inexpensive in manufacture, conveniently applied, and reliable and effective in use.

The invention consists in the combination of the chamber, its bottom provided with the ring-flanges upon its inner and outer sides, the plug provided with the head, and the cartridge-chamber provided With a perforated bottom and holes in its side to receive a fuse with each other; and in the combination of the non-conducting ring, the insulated halfring plates provided with holders for the circuit-wires, and the circuit-closing plug with each other and with the cartridge-chamber provided with a perforated bottom and holes in its side to receive a fuse, as hereinafter fully described.

A represents a chamber, which may be made in the shape of an inverted cup, as shown in the drawings, or cylindrical, or of any other suitable shape. The chamber A is connected at its top with a water-pipe, and its sides are perforated with numerous holes; or it may be connected with or form a part of a perforated pipe. The chamber A is closed by a bottom, 13, having a screw-thread cut upon its edge to screwinto a screw-thread cut in the inner surface of the edge of the said chamber A. In the center of the bottom B is formed a hole to receive the plug 0, which has a screw-thread out upon its upper end to screw into a screwhole in the head D. The head D is so formed as to fit snugly into the upper part of the chamber A and close its inlet-opening. The upper part of the head D has a shoulder, recess, or groove formed in it to receive rubber or other suitable packing E, to be pressed against a corresponding shoulder in the upper part of the chamber A, and close the inlet-opening water-tight. Upon the inner and outer sides of the bottom B, around and at a little distance from the hole through its center, are formed ring-flanges I) Z2 Theinner flange, b forms a cup to receive a packing, F, of tallow around the plug 0, to prevent any water or moisture that may get into the chamber A from working down around the said plug 0 into the cartridge-chamber G and dampening the cartridge II. The cartridge-chamber G has a screw-thread cut in the inner surface of its upper end, to fit upon the screw-thread cut in the outer surface of the ring-flange Il The bottom of the cartridge-chamber G has a number of holes formed through it, to allow the gases liberated by the explosion of the car tridge II to have free vent downward. In the sides of the cartridge chamber G are formed holes to receive a fuse, I, and allow it to come in contact with the charge of the cartridge H. The fuse I is extended around, so that it may be ignited at once should a fire occur. To the lower part of the cartridgechamber G is attached a ring or band, J, of hard rubber or other suitable non-conducting material, which extends below the bottom of the cartridge-chamber G, and has two halfring plates, K, attached to its lower part, with. their ends at such a distance apart, as shown in Fig. 2, that electricity cannot pass from one to the other. The half-rin g plates K are thus insulated from each other and from the other parts of the device. The insulated half-ring plates K are provided with sockets L and setscrews M, or other suitable means to receive and hold the circuit-wires N of a battery. Into the circular space between the inner edges of the half-ring plates K is fitted a plug, 0, of some good conducting material, which thus closes the circuit.

The circuit-wires N are designed to be connected with an alarm placed in the ofiiee, or in any other desired place, where it will be readily and certainly held.

The plugs 0 also prevent any moisture from passing in through the holes in the bottom of the cartridge-chamber Gr and dampening the cartridge H.

So many of the devices should be used in each story that every part of the whole building may be within the range of the water discharged from the chamber A.

In using the device, the cartridge-chamber Gr should be screwed up upon the flange so firmly that the pressure of the cartridge H against the lower end of the plug 0 may hold the head D against the upper part of the cham her A so firmly as to resist any pressure of the water in the'pipes.

With this construction, should a tire start, the fuse I will be ignited and the cartridge 11 exploded. The explosion of the cartridge II will blow out the plug 0, breaking the circuit and sounding the alarm. At the same time the plug 0 and its head D will drop and uncover the inlet-opening of the chamber A, allowing the water to flow out and extinguish the lire. When there is not suilieient water-pressure to do this, an engine or pump can be connected upon the outside of the building with the water-pipes, and the water forced into them, which water will be discharged through the chamber or chambers A where the fire may be, the others remaining closed, so that it will not benecessary for the firemen to break into the building to search for the fire, as the water will go to the right place, and at the same time the fire will not be increased by supplying it with a draft.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination of the chamber A, the bottom B, provided with the ring-flanges I) I), the plug 0, provided with the head D, and the cartridge-chamber Gr, provided with a perforated bottom, B, and holes in its side to receive a fuse, with each other, substantially as herein shown and described.

2. The combination of the non-eolulueting ring J, the insulated half-ring plates K, provided with holders for the circuit-wires N, and the circuitclosing plug 0 with each other and with the cartridge-chamber Gr, provided with a perforated bottom and holes in its side to receive a fuse, substantially as herein shown and described.

JOHN \V. SMITH.

Witnesses:

J AMES T. GRAHAM,

(J. SEDGWIOK. 

